"A former Gonzales staffer told Express News that her battle with depression began after her husband discovered text messages where she admitted to having an affair with Gonzales. The staffer claimed the relationship between Gonzales, a Republican representing Texas's 23rd congressional district, and Santos-Aviles became known to some members of the congressman's staff in 2024. Santos-Aviles's husband's attorney, Bobby Barrera, said the affair was not a secret among the staff. It's common knowledge, he told Express News."
"In text messages obtained and verified by Express News, Gonzales told the former staffer she was having an affair with our boss in April of 2024. The staffer, who resigned from Gonzales's office in January, claimed Santos-Aviles called him crying after her husband, Adrian Aviles, discovered the relationship through text messages and later texted a group of Gonzales's staffers exposing the affair. The staffer claimed that after that event, Gonzales canceled meetings set up by Santos-Aviles, and Santos-Aviles no longer accompanied the congressman on Uvalde visits."
Regina Ann Santos-Aviles, 35, covered herself in gasoline outside her home and died by self-immolation in September 2025. A former staffer said her depression began after her husband discovered text messages in which she admitted to an affair with Rep. Tony Gonzales. The staffer said some congressional staffers were aware of the relationship in 2024 and that the affair was not a secret among staff. Text messages obtained and verified reportedly show Gonzales acknowledging the affair in April 2024. After the exposure, Santos-Aviles missed work, began antidepressants in summer 2025, stopped accompanying Gonzales on visits, and became increasingly distressed.
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